how to create cinematic Imagery: tips, camera settings & editing tools
There’s a rise in cinematic photography right now — and I have to say, I’m absolutely here for it.
The rich emotion. The drama of movement. The way light becomes a character in the frame. It’s less about the perfect pose and more about atmosphere, narrative, and feeling. It’s not just taking photos, it’s capturing a scene. Like a still from a film that lingers long after the credits roll.
So how do we create that feeling? That magic where everything slows down just enough for something real to unfold?
what is cinematic photography?
Cinematic photography is a style that mimics movie stills, not just in look, but in feeling. These images go beyond documenting a moment. They’re layered, emotionally rich, and composed with the intention of drawing the viewer into a story.
Think wide aspect ratios, intentional lighting, rich tones, and careful colour grading. A cinematic photo doesn’t just show you what happened, it feels like something is still unfolding within the frame.
cinematic storytelling starts before the shutter clicks
While modern cameras and phones offer filters that mimic cinematic looks, true cinematic photography begins long before post-production. It starts with a clear vision, a sense of story, and purposeful creative choices on location.
You’ll want to think about:
Composition and environment
Camera settings and aspect ratios
Lighting and direction
Mood and narrative
The goal? To create an image where all the elements, subject, background, light, colour, come together to say something.
step 1: start with the idea
All great cinematic photos start with an idea. What’s the mood you’re chasing? What story are you trying to tell?
Start gathering inspiration, film stills, music videos, Pinterest boards, and pay attention to:
Colour palettes
Light and shadow
Facial expressions and movement
Composition and layering
What does the image feel like? And how can you recreate that energy in your own way?
step 2: dial in your camera settings
aspect ratio
Cinematic images often use a wide aspect ratio, like 16:9 or even 2.35:1, to mimic the widescreen look of film. Many cameras allow you to shoot in 16:9, but for ultra-wide ratios, you’ll need to crop in post — so be sure to leave extra space when you shoot.
Pro tip: Tape off the top and bottom of your LCD screen to mimic a cinematic frame while composing.
aperture + depth of field
A wide aperture (like f/1.4 or f/2.8) creates shallow depth of field, drawing focus to your subject and softening everything else. This instantly adds a dreamy, filmic quality. Use this selectively for emotional close-ups or isolating a character in the frame.
shoot in RAW
RAW files retain more data than JPEGs, which gives you greater flexibility when editing and colour grading. If your camera supports it, use it!
step 3: capture the scene with intention
A cinematic image is often built with layers — foreground, midground, background — and everything in the frame has a role to play.
composition + story
Build your frame like a film director would. Consider how each element adds to the narrative. Look for:
Leading lines
Framing through windows, doors, branches
Props or clothing that add visual texture
lighting = emotion
Light is one of the most powerful storytelling tools. Experiment with:
Natural light during golden hour or twilight
Backlighting for a halo effect
Hard directional light for drama
Lamps, fairy lights, or torches for low-light intimacy
shoot multiple angles
Capture your subject from different viewpoints, wide shots to establish mood, close-ups for intimacy, and over-the-shoulder frames to create perspective.
step 4: edit like a colourist
Once your image is captured, editing is where you can lean fully into the cinematic feel.
crop to a cinematic ratio
Use 2.35:1 or 1.85:1 to replicate the look of film stills. You can also add black bars at the top and bottom if you want the illusion without cropping.
apply presets and filters
Presets (like my Meadow pack) can give you a beautiful starting point for cinematic editing. Look for tones that are:
Natural but warm
Not overly saturated
Soft with a hint of film grain
Marigold, for example, is perfect for cinematic storytelling. It’s refined and true to colour, with just the right balance of warmth and softness. It keeps skin tones natural, adds subtle grain, and never overwhelms the image. It’s that “feels like a memory” look, quietly powerful.
If you’re after something a little moodier, warmer and stylised for your images, check out the Heirloom & Kindred Preset packs.
colour grading for emotion
This is where the real storytelling happens.
Use cool tones or subtle desaturation for nostalgic or moody scenes.
Try rich warm tones and golden highlights to evoke joy or connection.
Use colour wheels and curves to control shadows, highlights, and midtones with precision.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, it’s about experimenting. Try tinting the shadows with blue, or adding magenta to your highlights. Adjust contrast and exposure until the image feels emotionally accurate.
🎥 prompts for cinematic storytelling imagery
These aren’t about direction so much as invitation. Use them to spark feeling, not just movement. Here are some of my favourite storytelling prompts and mindset shifts to help you create cinematic, storytelling-rich imagery, whether you’re working with families, couples, or soulful maternity sessions.
1. walk with purpose — but not together
“I want you to walk ahead while the other one hangs back. Don’t look at me. Pretend I’m not here. Look back at your partner / family / over your shoulder”
Creates tension, space, and narrative, especially beautiful with backlight or wide angles.
2. the quiet hold
“Wrap your arms around her and just breathe. Don’t rush it, stay in that moment.”
Great for couples or parent-child frames. Hold the silence a little longer than feels comfortable, that’s where the emotion happens - intimacy or a whole lot of laughter.
3. soft chaos
“Everyone run toward me like you’re in your own movie. No rules. Just wild joy.”
Let go of control. Layered movement, imperfect expressions, and golden hour light? Yes please.
4. the look-away
“I want everyone looking in different directions, like a still from a Wes Anderson film.”
Candid, almost awkward, but so raw and real. Play with symmetry and colour here.
5. the in-between
“Fix her hair. Adjust his sleeve. Whisper something only they would understand.”
Don’t shoot at the moment, shoot just before or after. The almosts. The glances. The breath.
6. sit and lean
“Sit close. Lean in. No smiling for this one — just take in the moment.”
Let them feel like characters. Less smiley, more soulful.
7. chase or be chased
“I want you to run, but keep looking back — like you’re being followed by love.”
Perfect for couples and kids. Add wind, light, and movement for full cinematic effect.
8. blanket world
“Throw the blanket over your heads and make your own little fort.”
Softens the background. Pulls them into their own bubble. Feels nostalgic and playful.
9. homebody moments
“Pretend I’m not here. Make tea. Dance in the kitchen. Snuggle on the couch.”
The mundane becomes magical when photographed with care.
10. if this was the last moment
“Look at each other like you never want to forget this.”
Slows everything right down. Clients often tear up. You might too.
mindset shifts for cinematic photography
Shoot wide. Let the environment tell part of the story.
Layer your frame. Shoot through fabric, windows, tall grass.
Think like a director. What would this moment sound like in a film?
Let go of control. Embrace blur, movement, and mood.
Shoot for feeling. Not perfection. Not precision. Feeling.
The cinematic look is built from intention, not just technique. It’s in the way you see light. The mood you hold space for. The story you help unfold. Yes, presets and tools are helpful — but it’s your eye and your heart that bring the magic.
Start slow. Try one thing at a time. And remember: the goal isn’t to copy a movie, it’s to create your own frame-worthy scene that feels like it could belong there.
why it matters
We don’t take pictures just to remember what it looked like. We take them to remember how it felt.
And cinematic storytelling gives us that, the light, the mood, the pauses and glances that build a bigger picture. It invites us into the scene, not just the surface. It tells our stories the way we live them, a little messy, a little magic, and beautifully unscripted.
So next time you’re behind the lens, try one or two of these. Let it unfold. Let it breathe.
And trust that what you’re capturing might just be someone’s favourite scene.
